What happened to Sun Wukong at the end?

At the end of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong achieves redemption and spiritual enlightenment. After a long and transformative journey, filled with trials and challenges, Sun Wukong reaches a state of Nirvana.

Here’s what happens to him at the end:

1. Achieving Enlightenment and Nirvana:

Throughout the journey, Sun Wukong struggles with his pride, temper, and rebellious nature. However, under the guidance of Tang Seng and the challenges he faces, Wukong grows spiritually. At the end of the journey, after the group successfully retrieves the Buddhist scriptures, Wukong achieves Buddhist enlightenment and is granted Nirvana, which signifies his transformation and liberation from his former egotistical self. His rebellious nature is tamed, and he becomes a symbol of wisdom and righteousness.

2. Reward by the Buddha:

As a reward for his transformation and service in protecting Tang Seng (the monk who sought the scriptures), Wukong is granted a position in the Buddhist pantheon. He is welcomed into Heaven again, but this time not as a troublemaker but as a respected and enlightened being. In the Buddhist worldview, Wukong’s journey represents the struggle to attain spiritual wisdom and the realization that power must be tempered by virtue.

The Buddha also allows him to ascend to a high rank, and Sun Wukong is bestowed with the title of "Victorious Fighting Buddha", marking his ultimate redemption and recognition in the divine realm.

3. Reconciliation and Peace:

In the end, Sun Wukong reconciles with the heavens, having learned humility, compassion, and the value of wisdom. His once chaotic and mischievous nature is replaced with a sense of purpose and enlightenment, ensuring that he will never revert to his old ways.

4. Symbol of Transformation:

Sun Wukong’s journey from an arrogant, rebellious monkey king to a wise and enlightened figure is one of the key themes of Journey to the West. It showcases how even the most rebellious and prideful beings can be redeemed through hard work, self-reflection, and guidance. His final transformation into the "Victorious Fighting Buddha" symbolizes the idea that anyone, regardless of their past, can attain enlightenment.

So, at the end of his story, Sun Wukong becomes a symbol of redemption, enlightenment, and spiritual growth, embodying the core Buddhist teachings of overcoming ignorance and ego to achieve a higher state of being.